Dr. James Agustín Castañeda, professor
of Spanish in the Department of Hispanic and Classical
Studies at Rice University, will be Commencement Speaker
at Summer

Commencement Exercises for Texas A&M International
University on Friday, August 8 at 8 p.m. on the University
Green.

Dr. Castañeda received his Bachelors degree
from Drew University and his Masters and Doctorate
degree from Yale University.

His research focuses on Spanish Golden Age literature.
Castañeda is the author of many publications,
including articles in the Scribner Encyclopedia of
American Lives, the Bulletin of Hispanic Studies and
the Modern Language Journal.

For the past few years, he has been researching a 17th
Century play entitled "Los empeños de una
casa," by Mexican playwright Sor Juana Inés
de la Cruz and is also interested in the classical
myth of Progne and Filomena in 17th Century Spanish
drama. Also known as Philomela and Procne, this classical
Greek myth details a family tragedy resulting in the
transformation of two sisters into birds.

In addition, Castañeda is the chairman of NCAA
Initial Eligibility Issues Committee as well as the
chair of the NCAA Academics/Eligibility/Compliance
Cabinet at Rice University.

For additional information, please contact the Office
of Public Affairs and Information Services at 326.2180.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu